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April 19, 2017

​Multnomah Commissioners Flip after Backlash on Campaign Finance Reform

Multnomah commissioners flip after backlash on campaign finance reform

County will defend voter-approved contribution limits after all, instead of standing on sidelines.

In an abrupt about-face, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on April 13 decided to defend the constitutionality of a campaign finance reform measure overwhelmingly approved by voters.
The change of stance was announced hours after dozens of reform supporters packed the board's Thursday morning meeting, protesting an earlier board decision to not defend the reform measure. Speakers noted repeatedly that 89 percent of the voters approved the change in November.
The voters "spoke loud and clear," said Juan Carlos Ordonez, who sat on the county committee that recommended the charter change. "If you respect the will of the people you should instruct the lawyers to go defend the measure."